Gary Livingston SOMERS

  General Notes:

MIDDLE NAME: Note that Gary's middle name was LIVINGSTON, whereas his father's middle name was LIVINGSTONE

MARRIAGE: Gary and Rosemary Ann Vershon were married Aug. 13, 1960 at Holy Cross Church, Holyoke, Hampden County, Massachusetts

MILITARY: United States Navy during the Korean War and attained the rank of Aviation Structural Mechanic Petty Officer Third Class. He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business from Western New England College and a Master of Arts Degree in Business from American International College, both in Springfield, Massachusetts

CAREER: Gary began his career as a Sales Representative at Paper City Engraving and went on to become the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Owner of the former Reynolds Manufacturing, both in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He later worked as a Manager at The Tracies Company, which later became MRM Manufacturing, in Holyoke, Mass.

BURIAL: Sainte Rose de Lima Cemetery, Chicopee, Hampden County, Massachusetts, with Military Honors

OBITUARY: (published by The Republican Nov. 29, 2022) Gary L. Somers, 88, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, 2022. He passed into Eternal Life at Elaine Center at Hadley surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on June 19, 1934, a beloved son of the late Paul and Mary (Lee) Somers. He was raised in Greensboro and moved with his family to Springfield at a young age where he graduated from the High School of Commerce. He later lived in Chicopee, Holyoke and South Hadley before returning to Chicopee in 1996. He served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War and attained the rank of Aviation Structural Mechanic Petty Officer Third Class. He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He furthered his education and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business from Western New England College and a Master of Arts Degree in Business from American International College, both in Springfield. He began his career as a Sales Representative at Paper City Engraving and went on to become the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Owner of the former Reynolds Manufacturing, both in Holyoke. He later worked as a Manager at The Tracies Company, which later became MRM Manufacturing, in Holyoke. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. During his leisure time he enjoyed boating, fishing, hiking, hunting and cross country skiing. He also treasured time at his family summer home on Lake Wyola in Shutesbury. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and soul mate, Rosemary V. (Vershon) Somers. They were married on August 13, 1960 at Holy Cross Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 62 years of happiness together. He also leaves his three loving children, Karen S. Rousseau and her husband, Jean, of Chicopee, Jeffrey S. Somers and his wife, Lynn, of Northborough and Michele L. Theberge and her husband, Andrew, of Chicopee; his 11 cherished grandchildren, Deanna Rousseau-McAuliffe and her husband, Joel, Dominique Rousseau, Regan, Alec, Kaley, Fiona, Ian and Dylan Somers, Garret and Peter Theberge and Matthew Meserve; his sister, Sandra Beaulieu and her husband, Gerard, of Florida; and his sister in law, Lauria St. Onge of Chicopee. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his two brothers, Michael Somers and Leslie Somers and his wife, Janice; his two sisters, Patricia Somers and Geraldine Coppolo; his two sisters in law, Eleanor Powers and her husband, Clarence, and Helen Geraghty and her husband, William; and his two brothers in law, Raymond Vershon and his wife, Nancy, and Francis Vershon and his wife, Carol. His Funeral will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Burial with United States Navy Military Honors will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The funeral home parking lot is located in the rear. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com.

  Research Notes:

-- North Carolina, Birth and Death Indexes (1800-2000)
-- Find A Grave, Memorial # 246064616

Gary married Rosemary Ann VERSHON, daughter of Raymond A. VERSHON and Lauria F. ROY, on 13 Aug 1960 in Holyoke, Hampden County, Massachusetts. (Rosemary Ann VERSHON was born on 17 Oct 1930 in Holyoke, Hampden County, Massachusetts.)